Monday, November 07, 2011

The English FA was in Krakow today, publicising the England football team's stay in the city during Euro 2012, which starts on June 8 – and announced that the English players were going to get close to the locals, stay at a modest hotel … before losing to Germany on penalties in the quarter finals.

Until 29 minutes ago at the time of writing there were still rooms at the Hotel Stary (Old Hotel) on the main market square available when the England players will be staying there. I tried to book online to see how much the rooms cost (only around 130 pounds a night for what they claim is a five-star hotel – cheap!!!) but someone has just snapped up the last rooms for the weekend of June 8,9 and 10.

So, a night staying at the same bargain hotel as Wayne Rooney (if he gets selected following a three match ban for an ill-timed temper tantrum), John Terry (if he doesn't get a lengthy ban following an alleged racist incident) and all the other English football mega-stars has just slipped through my fingers. Damn!

The English FA has chosen the down town, modest, hotel as a reaction to the out-of-town palace-prison they were staying at during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Coach Fabio Copello chose that location to keep the players away from all the temptations and distractions available to them and their wives (WAGs) in the city, so they could concentrate on the football.

It didn't work.

The players were reportedly bored out of their tiny minds, and went out of the World Cup after a 4 – 1 drubbing by the Germans.

Copello has had a change of heart this time and will now let the English players near the Polish natives.

So what is there for Wayne Rooney et al to look forward to at Hotel Stary in Krakow?

“Guests of the Stary hotel have free access to the on-site spa, which includes a sauna, gym, steam bath,” says the hotel web site, but adds, a little worryingly, “and a massage parlour”. Er ...

The WAGs will like it as it is near to the shops and “has a bar, café and a club”.

Adrian Bevington, director of communications for the FA, who held a joint press conference in Krakow on Monday with Mayor Jacek Majchrowski, said that, “of course our priority is to be good on the pitch” but the team is planning on “visiting historic sites” and doing a bit of general tourist sightseeing on their days off.

So what's to see? Auschwitz is close, I suppose. And not that far down the road is the Wieliczka Salt Mine (which could be a handy place to park John Terry).

“Hotel Stary is 1.1 km from the Wawel Castle. The old Jewish district, Kazimierz is 1 km away,” says the hotel web site, tempting the England players with a little culture between training sessions.

Stag parties from England have complained to me personally that “there are not enough strip clubs in Krakow,” which could be a drawback.

The sometimes stuffy atmostphere of conservative Krakow does not indeed include many naughty clubs - although it is a bit of a gay-magnet, ironically. One slightly disappointed 'reviewer' punter writes on the web of one Villa Incognito, however: “S-Studio in Warsaw was much better, but maybe perhaps because Warsaw is a bigger city. This place had some cute girls. 300 Zloty (50 pounds) for the basic, twice what I paid in Warsaw,” he squeals.

What...in a special facility for wayward footballers? No...the point is to integrate the English team with the local community...they will be staying in town and doin' lots of charity stuff etc...it's a PR thing as well as trying to keep them busy while in Krakow.

HELLOWE ARE OFFERING AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO RELAX IN BEAUTIFUL POLISH COUNTRYSIDE.WE RUN FAMILY AGROUTURISTIC AND HORSE STUD,RIDING CENTRE BUSINESS.THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO STAY DURING EURO 2012.

WE ARE LOCATED JUST 15 MINS DRIVE FROM CITY CENTRE!!!!!WE HAVE LOVELY WOODEN APARTMENTS WHICH CAN ACCOMODATE 20+ PEOPLE,SO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A GROUP ACCOMODATION THIS IS FOR YOU.WE HAVE 1,2,3,4,5 BEDROOM ROOMS WITH SHOWERS ETC.

ABOVE ALL WE WILL CATER YOUR NEEDS,SO YOU WILL ENJOY HOME COOKED POLISH MEALS,OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HORSE RIDING,BON FIRE EVENINGS WITH OR WITHOUT POLISH BEVERAGES:) ,GRILLING ,TROUT FISHING AND GRILL AND MANY MORE.AS WE ARE LOCATED JUST 15MINS DRIVE FROM CENTRE OF CRACOW IT IS VERY EASY TO MOVE AROUND.THERE ARE LOTS OF BUSES GOING FROM AND TO OUR LOCATION.

WE CAN ALSO ORGANIZE A PRIVATE TRANSPORT FOR YOUR GROUP 24H IF YOU WISH SO.WE ARE A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS SO WE QUARANTEE THE BEST ATMOSPHERETHE PRICE IS 35£/PERSON PER DAY+18£ FOR 3 COURSE MEALS(BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER)WE ARE OPEN TO NEGOTIATIONS IF YOU COME IN BIGGER GROUP-GIVE ME A CALL TO DISCUSS.WE CAN ASLO OFFER YOU A HORSE RIDING DURING YOUR STAY.

«Small Paradise» in two floors (180 sq. m.), on system «all inclusive», on the period of realization Euro 2012, invites family football rooter.For time of the residence is given:- a car with driver;- delivery on all football matches and excursions;- a help is in buying of railroad tickets;- a cook (Ukrainian, Caucasian and European kitchen);- a translator ( English );- in free time from football fishing on the lake.http://360.dp.ua/sample/euro2012/apartment.html

I simply could not go away your website before suggesting that I extremely loved the usual info an individual supply to your visitors?Is gonna be back incessantly in order to check up on new postsAlso see my webpage > Perth

Thank you for another informative website. Where else could I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I've a challenge that I'm just now working on, and I've been at the look out for such information.Also visit my page : click through the next website page

Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Firefox.I'm not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I'd post to let you know.

May I simply just say what a relief to uncover someone who truly knows what they're discussing over the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you're not more popular given that you certainly possess the gift.my webpage > Viagra

I'm curious to find out what blog platform you happen to be utilizing? I'm having some small security issues with my latest site and I would like to find something more risk-free.Do you have any suggestions?

You actually make it seem so easy together with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I believe I might never understand.It sort of feels too complicated and very broad for me.

I'm looking forward for your subsequent submit, I'll try to get the dangle of it!

Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article.I will make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.